Cliff Notes
- Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old junior at the University of Pittsburgh, went missing on March 6 while on a spring break trip in Punta Cana with friends
- Authorities in both the U.S. and the Dominican Republic are actively searching for her amid conflicting reports regarding her disappearance, with one suggesting she may have drowned
- Her father described her as an ambitious young woman aspiring to pursue a career in medicine, stating, “My daughter is a very nice girl”
- Sudiksha was last seen at a beach near her hotel after reportedly swimming with a male acquaintance; her friends returned without her
- A thorough investigation is ongoing, with no charges filed against anyone so far; her father has called for consideration of potential kidnapping or human trafficking
Sudiksha Konanki Missing in Punta Cana Just Wanted ‘a Nice Break,’ Dad Says
The family of a 20-year-old college student from Virginia who went missing last week while in the Dominican Republic said the “ambitious” future medical professional was just hoping to enjoy her spring break vacation.
“She wanted to have a nice break with her friends in Punta Cana — she came with her friends on March 3rd,” Subbarayudu Konanki, the father of Sudiksha Konanki, a junior from the University of Pittsburgh, told local radio station WTOP.
“My daughter is a very nice girl,” Subbarayudu told CNN. “She’s ambitious. She wanted to pursue a career in medicine.”
According to the Dominican Republic National Police, Sudiksha — a resident of Virginia’s Loudoun County and citizen of India — was last seen early on Thursday, March 6, at the beach near a hotel in Punta Cana.
Sudiksha’s dad said that she went to the beach on Thursday “with friends and some other guys they met at the resort, after that, her friends came back after some time and my daughter did not come back, did not show up from the beach.”
Both U.S. and local law enforcement have been investigating what happened to her, including seeking to corroborate the account of a “young man” who was with her on the beach, according to the Dominican authorities.
No one has been charged or accused of a crime
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, which is working with federal law enforcement agencies and the University of Pittsburgh police in the case, added that Sudiksha, from Chantilly, Va., was reportedly with five female college friends at the resort at the time of her disappearance.
According to an ABC News report, citing Dominican officials, Sudiksha is believed to have drowned in the ocean after being caught by a big wave when she and the other person went for a swim on the beach.
But the sheriff’s office has pushed back on that, saying in a subsequent statement that “we caution anyone from drawing any unsubstantiated conclusions and are committed to ensuring that a thorough investigation is conducted before any conclusions are reached.”
“The [sheriff’s office] is hopeful for the safe return of Konanki, and we are committed to supporting this investigation and her family in every way possible,” they added.
Subbarayudu, Sudiksha’s father, has said he wants officials to look into “other possibilities including whether this is a case of kidnapping or human trafficking.”
“We don’t think she would be able to survive for more than three days in the water and I think something else might’ve happened to her,” he told US News.
Dominican police said an exhaustive air, land and sea search has been conducted involving drones, helicopters, divers, boats, canine units and human personnel.
Missing persons poster
A missing persons poster described Sudiksha as 5-foot-3-inches tall with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a brown bikini, round earrings, an anklet and several bracelets.
ABC affiliate WTAE reported that she is studying biological sciences and chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh, according to the school’s website.
“It’s very frightening,” Maria Nino, a freshman, told the outlet. “I honestly didn’t know how to process it because I didn’t know her personally. But I just imagine that, like, being my own friend.”
“It’s definitely something that everyone should be really processing because it can happen to anyone,” added Allison Lewis, Nino’s friend and a fellow student. “I feel like so many of us go to spring break just to try to get away, have fun, but a lot of us don’t realize the concerns that come with it.”
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam concerns
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, who represents Virginia’s 10th District, shared a post on X about Sudiksha’s disappearance.
“I am very concerned … I have been in touch with her family and friends since the incident to assist with the case,” he wrote.
“I am actively working with federal and international agencies to leverage every possible resource available to bring her home safely,” Subramanyam added.
“We are all praying for her safe and immediate return home,” Subramanyam concluded.